Staff Directory

Executive

Sandra McDonough

President & CEO

Sandra McDonough joined OBI as president and CEO in October 2018. Previously, she served 14 years as the president and CEO of the Portland Business Alliance, which under her leadership, became the Portland-metro area’s most prominent and impactful business organization. Earlier, she spent two decades in the energy industry, holding executive-level positions at PG&E Corporation and PacifiCorp. She also worked for a decade as a newspaper reporter, with stints at The Oregonian and the Seattle Times. McDonough holds bachelor’s degrees in German and journalism from the University of Oregon, and she has extensive experience serving on nonprofit boards. Currently, she serves on the board of New Avenues for Youth, a Portland-based organization providing housing, education and job training for homeless and at-risk youth.

Government Affairs

Nathaniel Brown

Nathaniel joined OBI in 2019, after nearly three years at the Portland Business Alliance. As a member of the PBA government affairs team, he facilitated several policy committees and advocated for business priorities at the local government level. Nathaniel graduated with a bachelor’s degree in media studies and political science from the University of Oregon in 2016, where he was a Wayne Morse Scholar. During his time in Eugene, Nathaniel also worked for U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio and for the university’s Department of Public Affairs Communications. He is a proud Oregonian, and in his free time enjoys visiting local breweries and coffee shops, and taking day trips to the mountains and the coast. Nathaniel currently lives with his wife in the Multnomah Village neighborhood in southwest Portland.

Sharla Moffett

Director - Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure

Sharla comes to OBI with a wealth of experience in the environment, natural resource and manufacturing sectors. Most recently, she served as director of government relations for the Western Wood Preservers Institute. Her experience extends to the national level, where Sharla staffed the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture. As executive for the Southern Oregon Timber Industries Association, she worked collaboratively with community groups to promote sustainable forest management and restore forest resilience. Sharla is a proud fourth generation Oregonian and an Oregon State University alumnus.

Paloma Sparks

Senior Director, Communications and Policy Strategy

Paloma brings more than 15 years of experience working with the Oregon Legislature, most recently as the director of government affairs and general counsel for Oregon Resource Association. Previously, she was the legislative director for the Bureau of Labor and Industries. She is an attorney with a wide breadth of knowledge and background in employment and labor issues. She also has extensive experience in the areas of land use and transportation. Paloma attended the University of Oregon, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Juris Doctor. Paloma is a native Oregonian. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and exploring all that Oregon has to offer.

Mike Stober

Director, Government Affairs - Policy Focus Tax & Fiscal

Mike offers a decade of tax and fiscal policy experience as a staff member for several U.S. Congressmen. He served as U.S. Representative Erik Paulsen’s (R-Minn.) legislative director and tax policy advisor for the last four years and was responsible for the daily operations of the Congressman’s Washington, D.C. office. Prior to his time in Congressman Paulsen’s office, Mike served as an economic and communications advisor to U.S. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.). Mike has also held positions in the private sector in addition to his government service, including deputy director of public policy at MetLife and senior public policy specialist at the law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP. A native of North Carolina, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

Membership and Operations

Mike Beyrouty

Chief Operating Officer

Mike Beyrouty (BS, Western Oregon University) oversees OBI’s operations, programs, business development and membership. Before joining Oregon Business & Industry (OBI), Mike was a partner at Aldrich Benefits and director of its employee benefits division. At Aldrich Benefits, he worked closely with OBI as its consultant for the OBI HealthChoice Trust. Mike served in the Oregon Army National Guard for nine years, serving in the infantry for six years and three years leading an artillery team. He was deployed to the Middle East during Operation Iraqi Freedom and New Orleans to aid in the relief effort of Hurricane Katrina.

Morgan Beltz

Event Specialist

Morgan joins OBI to support the organization in planning membership events. Previously Morgan served as the Finance Director on the Knute for Governor campaign traveling the state fundraising and event planning. Morgan holds a bachelor’s degree from Claremont McKenna College and in her free time enjoys golfing, attending Beaver baseball games, reading and playing slow pitch.

Jeff DeSantis

Senior Account Executive

Jeff joins the OBI team with almost 30 years’ experience in business. Jeff worked in the large crane industry for 16 years, traveling all over the United States and Canada, where he established lifelong friendships and developed a strong sense of community. He applied that experience as a small craft brewery owner over the past 11 years. Building relationships is a priority for Jeff in how he serves his customers and clients. In his off time, Jeff enjoys NASCAR, good craft beer, hunting and fishing.

Jackie Haugen

Assistant to the President

Jackie performs administrative duties for the president, chief financial officer and executive management team, as well as for the OBI board of directors and executive committee, and the boards of the Foundation, HealthChoice Plan and Trust, Prosperity PAC, and Service Corporation. She’s been employed with the organization since 1986, and has developed many friendships in her work over the years. When asked what she enjoys about Oregon, Jackie replied, “I love the scenic beauty and variety, the mild climate that helps everything grow abundantly, and the informal lifestyle of the Pacific Northwest.”

Katie Koenig

Public Policy & Government Affairs Assistant

Katie Koenig supports the government affairs team. She brings a range of experience, including her previous years at Associated Oregon Industries, working in the Oregon Legislature and, most recently, fundraising and event planning for a local private school. Katie holds a bachelor’s degree from Linfield College. She is a sports enthusiast and can usually be found in a set of bleachers with her husband, cheering on one of their four sons.

Gary Nash

Membership Representative

Gary (B.S., University of Wisconsin) joined the organization in 2008, and has been engaged ever since in growing and enhancing membership and participation. He previously worked with other State Chambers and State Manufacturing Associations. “One of the things I like most about my job is the challenge of convincing business owners and managers to invest in a competitive Oregon business climate,” Gary said. A longtime Green Bay Packers fan, Gary loves to spend time on Oregon’s rivers, casting flies to willing trout.

Patti Winter

Member Retention Specialist

Patti has been with the organization since 2011, greeting visitors at the front desk of the Portland office and helping with human resources, office management, membership services and finances. Patti also plays a major role in event planning. Previously, she worked in alumni relations at Central Catholic High.

Finance

Kelly Comm

Finance Support Specialist

Kelly supports all accounts payable and receivable functions and processes. She assists the chief financial officer with special projects and is a notary public. Kelly joined OBI in 2017. Prior to working at OBI, Kelly was executive administrative assistant and client service manager for Blue Water Wealth, a financial planning and coordinated asset management team. Kelly appreciates the variety of landscapes and weather in Oregon. She has a passion for horses and enjoys hiking and wine tasting.

Marketing Communications

Katie Christensen

Marketing Associate

Katie (M.B.A., University of Phoenix; B.S., Northern Arizona University) manages the OBI database, website, newsletters and marketing materials for all areas of the organization. She joined the organization in 2006, and enjoys the dynamic nature of her job; “Things are always changing,” she says. An avid outdoorswoman, Katie enjoys white water rafting, running, triathlons and camping. “Oregon, with its rivers and seasons, is a great place for outdoor adventures,” Katie adds.

Samantha Tipler

Communications Specialist

Samantha joined OBI in February, 2019, as the new communication specialist. She has more than a decade of experience in communications, including newspaper reporting and public relations. Samantha earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon in 2006, before heading into journalism. She worked at the East Oregonian in Pendleton and the Herald and News in Klamath Falls, covering a wide variety of topics. In 2016, she became the Klamath County School District’s first public relations representative, where she managed traditional and social media and wrote grants. Samantha primarily works in OBI’s Portland office, but joins the team in Salem on a regular basis.